Growth performance of Insulin plant (Costus igneus) in a recirculating aquaponic system using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and duckweed (Lemna perpusilla) / Mary Jane B. Cortez.

(Master of Science in Biology) -- Central Luzon State University, July 2018.

CHED Funded Research.

LIST OF TABLES -- LIST OF FIGURES -- LIST OF APPENDICES -- LIST OF APPENDIX TABLES -- LIST OF APPENDIX FIGURES -- ABSTRACT -- INTRODUCTION -- REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE -- METHODOLOGY -- RESULTS AND DlSCUSSIONS -- SUMMARY. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS -- LITERATURE CITED -- APPENDICES.

This study evaluated the growth performance of Insulin plant grown in a recirculating aquaponic system using Nile tilapia-duckweed-molly polyculture. Two identical aquaponic systems were built in one of the greenhouses in CHAT. Each system was composed of a fish tank, molly/duckweed tank and growing bed. Eight kilograms of Nile tilapia, and I kg of duckweed were stocked in each system. Also, 24 heads of molly were stocked in one of the systems. Seventy-five Insulin plants were transplanted in each system. Environmental conditions inside and outside the greenhouse and water quality parameters were recorded two times every day.
An average pH level of 7.6-7.8, 296-314 ppm IDS and 28.7°C to 29.6°C temperature was established by the system. These levels provided favorable environment for the Nile tilapia, duckweed and molly. The Nile tilapia grown in the systems with molly grew slightly faster and gained better yield than those grown in the system without molly. Also, the duckweed stocked in the system with molly had higher yield than those in the system without molly. Similarly, the molly increased in number from 24 to 312. Water analysis revealed that the system with molly contained higher amount of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous. This cause higher yield of insulin plant grown in the system with molly than the plants grown in the system without molly. However, the growth of Insulin plant in the system with molly did not significantly differ with those grown in the system without molly.
The presence of molly caused higher yield of the Insulin plant. However, it did not significantly affect the growth of the plant. Likewise, the molly had caused higher amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the system. It also significantly affected the growth and yield of Nile tilapia and duckweed. Furthermore, this study resulted to the creation of a techno guide on the production of Insulin plant in a recirculating aquaponics system using tilapia-duckweed-molly polyculture.